Improvement in apparatus for clasping skirts



Nrrni) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL R. WILMOT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FORCLASPING SKIRTS.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL R. WILMoT, of Brooklyn, in the county ofKings and the State of New York, have in vented a new and usefulImprovement in Machines for Applying Glasps to Hoops and Tapes in theManufacture of Hoop'Skirts and I do hereby declare that the following isa full and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is the front elevation. Fig. 3 isthe plan view. Fig. 4t is a cross-section of a portion on the line S Sin Figs. 1 and 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are two separate cross sections ofcertain portions, Fig. 5 on the line T T and Fig. 6 on the line U U,both seen from a point in front. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a claspmade somewhat larger than those usually employed. Figs. 8 and 9 aresections of a hoop and tape of a woven skeleton skirt; Fig. 8, a sectionbefore the clasp is applied, and Fig. 9 a section after the clasp hasbeen strongly secured by my machine. Fig. 10 is a side elevation, andFigs. 11 and 12 are sections of certain parts of my machine, (fullsize.) Fig. 10 shows the hammer elevated, the black lines showing it inits highest position and the red lines showing it after it has descendeda little and is commencing to give a corresponding motion to the clasp.Fig. 11 shows the hammer after it has descended so that the points ofthe clasp commence to penetrate the tape, and in red lines after thehammer has descended to its lowest position. Fig. 11 is a section on theline VV in Fig. 12, and Fig. 12 is a section of the hammer and itsconnections on the line W W in Fig. 11.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the gures.

In the use of my machine the hoops and tapes may be previously appliedtogether and slightly secured in any approved manner` or they may beapplied together at the moment, as may be most convenient. I prefer,however, to employ that species of tape in which loops are woven,adapted to produce what are known as woven skeleton skirts, and toproperly place the hoops therein beforehand. They may be securedslightly with gum or not, as may be deemed expedient. The machine by asingle operation of the foot receives a clasp from a suitable channeland inserts it and secures it in the skirt.

To enable others skilled in the art to make use of my invention, I willproceed to describe its construction and operation by the aid of thedrawings and of the letters of reference marked thereon.

A is a casting, of the form represented secured upon a table or bench,a.

B is a stout lever, mounted on a fixed fulcrum O, and adapted to beoperated by a treadle and suitable connections in a manner which will bereadily understood. On the outer or front end of the lever B is ahammer, b, formed as represented, and having a face a little larger thanthe back of a clasp. This hammer b is slightly curved, forming an arc ofwhich O is the center.

D is a die, hollowed as represented and adapted both to properly supportthe hoop and tape to be clasped together and to bend the points of theclasps inward thereupon, or, in other words, to clinch the points of theclasps. The die D is adjustable by screws in the manner represented.

E is a shallow spiral receptacle, in which the clasps are deposited in aconfused mass, and from which they are supplied to the working part ofthe machine in regular succession and in a uniform position by the meansnow about to be described. The receptacle or reservoir E is slightlyinclined, its open side being lowest. Theopening connects with aninclined channel or connecting-plate, e, so arran ged that the gravityof the clasps tends to induce a gentle and gradual movement or constantiiow ofthe clasps from the open side of the reservoir E upon and alongthe neck e. The concussion of the entire machine by the clinching of theclasps between the hammer b and the die D is transmitted to thereservoir E and the neck e, leading therefrom, and slightly throws upthe clasps at each operation of the machine. This shock throws theclasps upon their backs, and their gravity, aided by the continuedsuccession of shocks, moves them in this condition along the inclinedneck e. F is a lip or guiding surface, held at a sufficient height abovee to act against the prongs of the clasps, leaving a space, f, betweenitself and e sufficient for the free admission of a portion ofthe bodyof the clasp. The neck e is so inclined as to bring vthicker than thebody of the clasp. This opening is designated as g, and the spacebetween the lip F and the lip Gr is but little greater than the width ofthe prongs of the clasp, s o that when once in the channel M, betweenthese lips F and G, the clasp is no longer at liberty to turn or move inany manner, except to slide steadily forward as it may be allowed by thegradual. removal and consumption of its predecessors. This channel M iscurved, as represented, and is adapted to deliver the clasps with theirhpoints downward ready for insertion in the tape in the most favorablecondition both for the successful performance of the work and for theeasy and continuous inspection by the eye of the operator. The extent ofthe motion of the lever B is sufficient to lift the working-face of thehammer' b slightly above the back of the clasp, so that at eachelevation of the hammer a clasp is thrown inward by the gravity ofitself' and of' its successors from the lower end of the curved channelM. It is thrown immediately under and very nearly in'contact with theface of the hammer b, which is destined to drive it downward into itsplace. The gravity of the clasp would induce its fall immediatelywhether the hammer acted or not, except for a supporting-piece, I, whichis provided, and which is carried with the hammer, and requires a verycareful description.. The two useful portions of this supporting-pieceare designated t' i. The space between these portions is designated M',and is ofjust sufficient depth and width to allow one clasp to becontained, with its prongs presented downward, in the space M', and withits body supported at each side upon the surfaces t' t'. The main bodyof this supporting-piece is perforated by a large rectangular slot, J,in which the hammer b is allowed a slight vertical movement, as will behereinafter explained.

K K are two slight projections near the upper end of thissupporting-piece I, and L L are larger projections at or near the centerof its length. These projections K and L perform important offices inimparting proper motions to the surfaces Their forms and positions arecorrectly denoted in the drawings, as also the form of the entiresupporting-piece I, which is made from one piece of steel or other hardand durable material.

P is a bent spring inserted-in the manner represented between thesupporting-piece and a broad shoulder, B', on the lever B. This springurges both ends ofthe supportin g-piece I outward, as is obvious. Theface K L' of the casting A, in theimmediate vicinity of thissupporting-piece, is lined with steel, and is recessed to correspondwith the projections K K and L L. This connection of thesupporting-piece I to the hammer b, as described, compels thesupporting-piece to rise and sink w'ith each reciprocation of thehammer, but allows it to move up and down to a small extentindependentlythereof, or, rather, it allows the hammer b at each change in thedirection ofits motion to move up or down about one thirtysecond part ofan inch before the supporting-piece receives corresponding motion in thesame direction. This dragging behind of the supporting-piece as itaccompanies the lever B in its vibrations is due to the friction and theresistance produced by the projections K K dropping into the recesses K'K', and this dragging behind performs the important function of openingthe space between the surfaces z' i and the hammer b at each ascentofthe latter, so that a clasp may freely enter Y when the hammer is up,and of' contracting the space so as to embrace the clasp and hold andcarry it steadily so soon as the hammer b y commences to descend. Whenthe hammer b has descended so far thatthe points of the clasp havepenetrated the tape and commencedA to meet and be deflected inward bythe surface `causin g the entire supporting-piece to stand in theposition represented in the red outline in Fig. 11, and thehammer b,continuing its downward motion, produces its full eifectin clinching theclasps. On t/he commencement of the return movement of the hammer b,after it has arisen about one thirtysecond pa-rt of an inch it commencesby its contact with the top of the y slot J to raise thesupporting-piece I, which immediately moves outwarda gain to its properposition under the influence of' the spring P, and it commences toreceive and support another clasp so soon as the lower end of the hammerb rises above the mouth of the channel M. In case the friction andweight of the supporting-piece I is not sufficient to retard it and openthe space to receive the clasp during the early part of the ascent ofthe hammer, the supporting-piece I is, by the contact of its upper endagainst the fixed surface a, compelled to stop when it has reached itsproper place to stand, a-nd thus the opening to receive the clasp iscertain to be produced by the last portion of the upward movement of thehammer b. While this is progressing the operator has changed theposition of the work, removing the joint of the hoop which has beenclasped by the operation just described and presenting a new one, afterwhich another movement ofthe treadle brings down the hammer b with afresh clasp and inserting and clinching it as before. Thus the operationis continued with great rapidity and with uniform and satisfactoryresults.

In commencing to operate my machine the attendant supplies a quantity ofclasps to the reservoir E, and moves the treadle for a few seconds,until, by the jarring of t-he machine, a number of the clasps haveranged themselves in proper order against the lip F and have commencedto descend between it and the lip G, ready to be presented to the hammerb. She then seizes a hoop of the skirt and holds it in the properposition on the die D, and proceeds as described. l/Vlien the. skirt isfinished, or when, for any other reason, the operation temporarilystops, `the flow of clasps also stops, because the latter depends at itshead on the concussion of the machine and because the passage M isbarred at its lower end by the curved exterior surface of the hammer b,so that a clasp cannot escape except when b is in its highest position.

I have found in practice that the concussion due to the operation of mymachine in the manner represented is not only sufficient to properlyagitate the clasps and throw them on their backs, but is liable to beexcessive and to induce too great a jumping motion. This excess ofmotion is probablyr due to the peculiar condition of the parts E and e,the same being supported at the points e' and O and bridging across theinterval between these points in a slightly-arched condition. Theconcussion of the machine is liable to be so great as to reverse thisarch or to cause the parts to act like an exceedingly flexible springbiard, so as to occasionally throw the clasps` to a height far beyondthat required. I find that the clasps are liable to thus jump at andnear the center of this arch or spring-board far more than at the ends,showing that the concussion ofthe machine is not only felt there but isby the peculiar conditions liable to be at times very much magnified inthe extent or rapidity of its motion. A post or the like firm supportunder the center of the arch might be sufficient to remedy the evil 5but, as I wish to be able when I choose, to adjust the inclination of Eand e, I prefer to make the support adjustable in some manner. A screwor the like may be employed here, but its adjustment involves somelabor. To avoid this, and to insure uniformity and smoothness in themotion, I insert a mass of rubber, N, within the partial case a and findthe result very satisfactory. There is always a possibility that aclasp, either slightly deformed or accidentally misplaced, may arrivenear the commencement ofthe channel M in a false position. To avoid thepresentation of such to the space M, I make the inclined neck orsupporting-surface e very narrow for a short distance, e', above theupper end of the lip Gr. If a clasp is moving in a correct position-i.e., bearing properly with both its prongs against the lip F, andconsequently with part of its body under this lip, or in the space f-itwill be snpported by this narrow part of the neck c and will travelalong, as described; but if any clasp be improperly placed or veryseriously deformed, it will by its gravit-y alone fall otf theunsupported side to be received in any suitable receptacle below. Theeffect is to present the clasps always in the right position to theupper extremity of the channel M, allowing each to hurry forward untilit rests upon its predecessor, and to deliver them in single file asthey are wanted at the lower end of the channel M in the mannerdescribed. In case the clasps do not come down the neck e withsufficient rapidity, or in case they come too fast so as to overiiowthi` inclosed passage M, they may be ha stened or checked nea-r theirexit from the spiral reservoir E by an occasional touch with the fingersof the attendant. The rapidity or freedom with which the clasps aredelivered from the reservoir E depends somewhat upon the degree ofinclination which is given to the neck e, through which they aredelivered. This inclination may be increased or diminished by changingthe form of the parts or by adjusting slightly the upright O, which isbolted to the casting A by bolts Q, passing through slots. This mayallow adjustment to any extent which may be desired by simply slackingthe bolts Q, raising or lowering the rod O, and ccnsequently changingthe inclination of E and e, and then again 'securing the bolts Q.

I am not necessarily confined to the several details of my inventionrepresented, as such may be very greatly modified and still produce mostof the good effects due Ato my invention.

Instead of curving the inclosed passage M, as represented, in order toreverse the position of the clasps while conducting them from e to theclinching device, l can twist the passage M, and thereby produce aneffect very nearly similar to that due to the curvature; but I prefer tocurve it as represented for the reason, among others, that the attendantcan better inspect the clasps during their progress.

Instead of withdrawing the supporting-snrfaces t' i by the action of theprojections L L against the surfaces L' L', as represented, I can allowthe lower end of the supportingpiece to strike the die D or to strikesome other part of the fixed work, and can thereby obtain a greaterleverage; butI prefer the device represented, for the reason, amongothers, that I thereby avoid all danger of cutting or bruising the tapesand hoop-covering.

Some of the advantages due to the several features of my invention maybe separately enumerated as follows: First, the india-rubber N, arrangedas described, makes the concussion on E and e less violent, and preventsa clasp being thrown out of its right position after it has onceacquired it; second, the projections K K and corresponding recesses, KK', (the surface a being a part of the boundary of the recesses K K,) bybeing arranged to operate the supporting-piece in the mannerrepresented, compel the supportingsurfaces t' t to approach to andrecede lrom the hammer b at the moment required to properly receive andhold the clasp with the aid simply of a gentle force from the spi-ing`P, and without a necessity for any complex movingl parts to effect themotions; third, the projections L L and the corresponding' recess L L',arranged to operate the supportingpieee I in the manner represented,compel the supporting-surfaces t c' to draw backward out ot' the Wayjust before the hammer b is required to produce its full effect on theclasp and allow the parts to return promptly back to their places by theaid of the spring P on the ascent of thehemmer b Without a necessity forany complex moving parts or any liability to cut or. injure the Work ineffecting this operation.

I do not claim any of the parts except in their relation to clasp-slicking machinery, substantially as herein described; but,

Having Jr'ully described my invention, Wl at I claim ew therein, anddesire to secure by Letters IYatent in machines for securing clasps inhoop-skirts, is as follows:

`1. The interposition of a spring, N, between vthe shaker E e and theconcussive portion of the machine, as represented.

2. The projections K K 'and the recesses K K and spring P, arranged tooperate relatively to the supporting-piece I t', or its equivalent,substantially as and 4for the purpose herein set forth.

3. The projectionsLL and'the'recesses L L and spring` P, arranged tooperate relatively to the supportingpiece I t' or its equivalent,substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

1n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name in the presence Yof twosubscribing;V Witnesses.

SAMUEL R. WILMO'I.

Witnesses lHoMAs D. S'rErsoN, GEORGE F. STE'rsoN.

